AGC: Providence area adds 1,100 construction jobs in June

Construction employment in the Providence-Fall River-Warwick metro area grew 5 percent year over year last month, adding 1,100 jobs for a total of 22,200 in June, according to an Associated General Contractors of America report.

AGC: Providence area adds 1,100 construction jobs in June

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT in the Providence-Fall River-Warwick metro area grew 5 percent in June compared with a year earlier for a total of 22,200 jobs, the Associated General Contractors of America reported this week. Above, Dimeo Construction Co. employee Brian Johnson cuts molding for a pavilion at the Ocean House in Westerly during its 2009-10 reconstruction.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Construction employment in the Providence-Fall River-Warwick metro area grew 5 percent year over year last month, adding 1,100 jobs for a total of 22,200 in June, according to an Associated General Contractors of America report.

The region ranked No. 104 among the 339 U.S. metro areas in terms of year-over-year net employment gain in June. Overall, 215 metro areas nationwide reported construction job growth between June 2013 and June 2014, while 80 metros showed declines and 44 showed no change in employment.

“Even as the overall economy continues to recover, many firms that work on federally funded projects are having a hard time making hiring, equipment purchasing and expansion plans,” said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr, referring to continued uncertainty regarding federal infrastructure funding. “It is hard to make sound business decisions when you don’t know how much work will be available in the near future.”

The largest percentage year-over-year gains in construction employment for June occurred in Monroe, Mich., which grew 29 percent and added 600 jobs, followed by Lake Charles, La., with 25 percent and 2,700 jobs and Pascagoula, Miss., with 25 percent and 1,500 jobs.

Regionally, the New Bedford metro area saw an 11 percent gain year over year, adding 300 construction jobs for a total of 3,000 in June 2014. New Bedford ranked at No. 27 among the nation’s metros for construction employment growth.

In the Norwich-New London, Conn., metro area, which falls in both Connecticut and Rhode Island, construction employment gained 3 percent in June compared with a year earlier for a total of 3,800 jobs, ranking the region No. 149.

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